Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Montevideo (Fides Service) - Faced with the alarming deterioration of the standard of living in Uruguay, the national Council of Churches, CICU, issued a statement with the title “A call to the country, institutions, politicians and government”, expressing profound concern and calling for united efforts to foster economic development but also to rediscover the transcendent dimension of the human person and human life. The CICU says everyone must help to build a more just and human society, which respects the natural rights of every individual.
In its statement the CICU denounces the serious situation: “We have reached the point of having two generations who survive by begging. Silent suicides among adults, caused by the economic crash, are affecting children and adolescents. People continue to emigrate, indeed emigration is now the only alternative for many young people who have no future in our country”. Sad to say “these signs are only the tip of the iceberg which has at its roots: torn social tissue, broken families, loss of values, hunger, violence”. “We must rediscover the capacity to be indignant at what is happening: the number of people who die for lack of food, medical care or because of social violence is so high that it has no effect on anyone anymore”.
CICU says that the situation demands responsible commitment from everyone. Churches, institutions, politicians and government must work together to solve problems without waiting for the results of the elections. Steps must be taken immediately and everyone, without exception, must play their part.
The Council of Churches in Uruguay includes representatives of the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Anglican Church of Uruguay, the Evangelical Church of Rio de la Plata, the Evangelical Valdese Church, the New Pentecostal Church, and the Methodist Church of Uruguay. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2004; Righe 24, Parole 306)
